308 bullet choice

308 bullet choice

  • 150-155

    Votes: 50 14.9%
  • 168

    Votes: 73 21.8%
  • 175

    Votes: 188 56.1%
  • 185-190

    Votes: 20 6.0%
  • 200+

    Votes: 4 1.2%

  • Total voters
    335

Jackcrow73

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 24, 2013
145
2
36
NE North Dakota
I am curious to see what is the most popular bullet weight for 308 win. Please feel free to explain why you think your particular choice is the best. Not concerned with hunting/target, just your favorite 308 bullet weight.
 
155 Scenar

155 @ 2930 FPS @ 1000 yards = 327.3 Inch drop, 94.8 Inches drift Flight time 1.560 sec, Energy 546 ft/lbs
175 @ 2720 FPS @ 1000 yards = 382.1 Inch drop, 102.8 Inches drift, Flight time 1.682 sec, Energy 527 ft/lbs

Using JBM 155 @ .236 G7, 175 @ .243, Sea Level, 59 degrees, 10 mph 90 degree cross wind
 
155 Berger Hybrid......takes the poor .308 to a whole new level.

I'm shooting them right at 2,900fps from 25" barrel which puts them right up there close to my 6.5mm's ballistically.

8.7 Mils to 1000yds (313.8" drop) at 1,500 Denisty Altitude.
 
Another 155 Scenar convert here. I was surprised to see the results so far (50% 150-155 at this point) since most threads will recommend the 175 SMK. I've tried both and the 155gr Scenars were the way to go in my 12 twist.
 
Love this ! I am just beginning reloading so that I can take this LRP hobby to a competitive level and 1000 yards is bout what the tactical comps including the one I entered maxed at 1007 for it. I had been shooting Black Hills Gold 178 and FGMM175 but Since I got my reloader stuff for christmas I wanted to see about lighter better rounds. I had come up with the 155 scenar and had seen some other fellas mention its great downrange performance......But when I went to the Gun shop and was buying my stuff I said what I wanted and was asked why the 155 scenar I explained and was told I was incorrect in my thoughts and should go with the 168 Berger... SOOoo Since I wasn't sure that was accurate information I got a Box of 155 Amax to get acclimated to reloading then decide for myself my next step. But I am pumped to see you fellas number the 155 Scenars are putting up.
 
I have swapped from the scenars to the 155 palma smk's and they are showing promise at 200 with load testing. I am hoping to stretch them to 1k this month.

After the 155's my goto is the 175

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175/178 for me as well. Though i've shot 155s, 168s, 175s, and now 178s i just like the 175/178. Have gotten the best accuracy out of them as well. Either will work. I had some 168gr hybrids that i gave away because i was moving to a cheaper load. I wonder if anyone is having great success with those the BC is high for a lightweight .30 cal.
 
175/178 for me as well. Though i've shot 155s, 168s, 175s, and now 178s i just like the 175/178. Have gotten the best accuracy out of them as well. Either will work. I had some 168gr hybrids that i gave away because i was moving to a cheaper load. I wonder if anyone is having great success with those the BC is high for a lightweight .30 cal.

Yeah I agree the 168 Berger Hybrids have a very enticing BC.
 
OK, So the poll is "Favorite" bullet. I chose the 155 as well, for much the same reasons already stated above. Although the 200 hybrids are by far a better bullet choice at long range. 1000 yrds. The ballistic coefficient is out of this world on the 200's. They just are not practical for everyday use.
As always YMMV-Rob
 
178 BTHP because they have a higher BC then the SMK or AMAX but they are unavailable right now. 178 AMAX woulb be my next choice but when I jump up to the '06 my choices change, its the 190s and 210s...
 
308 bullet choice

The 185 will have to pushed adequately to perform though. That doesn't discount it as it's a great choice and a solid performer. It's the same argument as the 175/178 vs 155. BC goes to the 175 but you can't get 175s at 2900+ out of a 26" tube. That said I still choose the 175s over the 155s. I would try the 185s but I moved from Berger a while back due to money. It's a trade off really. What's the max estimate achieved with a 185? I'm guessing around 2600? Or can it be pushed like a 175 if so it's a clear choice if you can fund it.


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The 185 will have to pushed adequately to perform though. That doesn't discount it as it's a great choice and a solid performer. It's the same argument as the 175/178 vs 155. BC goes to the 175 but you can't get 175s at 2900+ out of a 26" tube. That said I still choose the 175s over the 155s. I would try the 185s but I moved from Berger a while back due to money. It's a trade off really. What's the max estimate achieved with a 185? I'm guessing around 2600? Or can it be pushed like a 175 if so it's a clear choice if you can fund it.


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Getting about 2730fps from Berger 185 Juggernauts with Re-17 (velocity from POS consumer chrono plus ballistic curve fit).
 
I am running 155 scenars in my AIAE and it's about the same ballistics as my 22" 260 with a 42.1 grains of h4350. I need to buy another 1k of them this spring.
 
I'm running both 168 and 175 FGMM and 168 Hornady match BTHP. Received 5 boxes of Hornady match 168 AMAX today to test.

Also have had excellent results with XM118LR

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You guys that are running with the 155's are you shooting them from a 12 twist?

I shoot 155 smks and amax out of a 12 twist, works perfectly for me, they like to be shot with some velocity though- i'm around 44.6 grains of 8208XBR for my smk and amax loads (2900-3000 fps based on drops out to 800 yards, i just got a chronograph so i'll get actual velocity soon)
 
185 juggernauts at 2670 from a 20" tube. They hit like a freight train, stupid accurate, easy to load, and bucks wind like a 6.5mm

FAR exceeds the 175 smk in every way possible.
 
Blackops, I'm getting 2700 out of my AX 24" 1:10 Bartlien with the juggernauts. I was up to 2730 during development with no pressure but the 2700fps load shot the best and had the best ES/SD.

The Tooley AINA chamber definitely has a great throat to take advantage of the mag length but at .018 off the lands in my rifle I still have more left in the mag. I think a tick longer throat with the bullet loaded out further, a little more powder, and a can could possibly see 2800FPS or damn close.
 
155 Scenars at 2930 in a 24" Tube with 46.5grs of Varget loaded at 2.80 COAL with a 210M Primer. All day long. Part of me wishes I would've kept my dies and components and not switched to 6.5 Creedmoor, but shooter ADD got the best of me.
 
Blackops, I'm getting 2700 out of my AX 24" 1:10 Bartlien with the juggernauts. I was up to 2730 during development with no pressure but the 2700fps load shot the best and had the best ES/SD.

The Tooley AINA chamber definitely has a great throat to take advantage of the mag length but at .018 off the lands in my rifle I still have more left in the mag. I think a tick longer throat with the bullet loaded out further, a little more powder, and a can could possibly see 2800FPS or damn close.

That's insane and awesome. I know custom barrels usually generate more velocity than factory, I don't think I could even manage 2650 with that round. What powder?

I had planned on keeping my 5R barrel and having it cut but if I can sell the thing it's gone. I'm worried about keeping 2500fps with 178s at 18.5"


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That's insane and awesome. I know custom barrels usually generate more velocity than factory, I don't think I could even manage 2650 with that round. What powder?

I had planned on keeping my 5R barrel and having it cut but if I can sell the thing it's gone. I'm worried about keeping 2500fps with 178s at 18.5"


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I'm using Varget, Matt was using PP2000MR. The key is chambering it long, we're both running AX's which have a bunch of room in the mag compared to a BDL mag box or a AICS mag and that helps a lot.

IMO it would be worth it to load a few at .020 or so off the lands and see what it will do. Use a drop tube or tap them on the bench to settle the powder before you seat the bullet. To run the load permanently though you'd need to notch your action and either run AICS mags with the plate removed or accurate mags. It's certainly doable though.
 
308 bullet choice

I'm using Varget, Matt was using PP2000MR. The key is chambering it long, we're both running AX's which have a bunch of room in the mag compared to a BDL mag box or a AICS mag and that helps a lot.

IMO it would be worth it to load a few at .020 or so off the lands and see what it will do. Use a drop tube or tap them on the bench to settle the powder before you seat the bullet. To run the load permanently though you'd need to notch your action and either run AICS mags with the plate removed or accurate mags. It's certainly doable though.



Right now I'm running 178s at 2.860. They barely fit in my AICS mag. My feed ramp on my 700 probably needs to be notched. That said they only seem to hang/jam when I'm just cycling. When I'm shooting and cycling I've never had a problem. Still I probably have 3 hundredths to the lands IIRC I'll have to check it out but I think I'm still jumping quite a bit because the throat is cut so long on factory 700s.


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Right now I'm running 178s at 2.860. They barely fit in my AICS mag. My feed ramp on my 700 probably needs to be notched. That said they only seem to hang/jam when I'm just cycling. When I'm shooting and cycling I've never had a problem. Still I probably have 3 hundredths to the lands IIRC I'll have to check it out but I think I'm still jumping quite a bit because the throat is cut so long on factory 700s.


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Yeah you're at max without doing some work. I'd try load development single loading at first though before you spend the money.

If you can easily acquire some juggs try poking them out to 2.920 or so and see what happens.
 
I know jack squat about 308s - how much faster can a 168 be pushed relative to a 175 assuming similar type bullets (say SMK or A-Max)?

Anybody?

Or perhaps lemme ask a different question:

What would a real-world speed be with 168gr Berger Hybrids from a 24" barrel, using Varget? Seems like 2680ish is typical of a 24" barrel with 175 SMKs...